Chris Johnson’s skill and durability should appeal to suitors

Posted by Mike Wilkening on April 4, 2014, 3:14 PM EDT

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Now that Chris Johnson’s six-season tenure in Tennessee has reached its end, we turn to the matter of where he lands next.

Johnson, whom we’ve placed 34th in our free agent rankings, is the best running back to hit the market this offseason. In fact, Johnson may be the most talented veteran runner to become available in some time.

Few backs as skilled as Johnson enter free agency with seemingly a good deal left in the tank. While Johnson has more than 2,000 regular season touches to his credit — not an insignificant amount for a back who’s entering his seventh NFL campaign — he has accumulated that workload because he’s stayed healthy. Overall, Johnson has played in 95-of-96 regular season games in his career. In the lone game he missed, the Titans had clinched homefield advantage and rested starters. (Johnson did have minor knee surgery this offseason.)

Is it telling that the Titans were willing to move on from Johnson? Perhaps. Per NFLPA records, he was due $8 million in salary in 2014 and 2015 and $7 million in 2016. Clearly, the Titans had qualms with his production at that price.

However, could Johnson prove a value signing for a club? Absolutely. It all comes down to his next deal, as well as Johnson’s production in 2014 and beyond relative to what the signing team is currently getting out of its running backs.

And make no mistake: whomever signs Johnson will get a back who can still play. He possesses very good speed and acceleration and quickly gobbles up ground. He is not particularly physical, though he can play with power at times.

So who would be a good fit for Johnson? We’ve identified 19 potential suitors. Some have tailback needs, while others have a shown a willingness to think outside the box. The clubs below have varying amounts of money to spend, too, which figures a primary consideration in where Johnson lands if there’s a robust market for the former Pro Bowl back.

Teams are listed in order of need and separated by conference. Those with a clear need at running back are bolded:

AFC

Jets — Here’s an offense that needs playmakers.

Browns — Yes, they added Ben Tate, but they still need more help at tailback.

Patriots — They are a back short after losing LeGarrette Blount.

Ravens — Wouldn’t he be fun to watch in Gary Kubiak’s offense?

Broncos — Look, they’re all-in for 2014.

Colts — They know Johnson well, and they are willing to spend for veteran talent.

I could see AZ getting him. Good pass protect back, and the Cards need a vet presence in the backfield. The Cards are also all in this year with the superbowl in AZ. Plus Fitz might not be around after this season, they are going for it. If not AZ I could see CJ in teal and orange.

Why not the Bengals and Jaguars? They have a lot of cap room left and need help at RB as well. The Jags are a division rival which is interesting and the Bengals could also save $2.5MM on Chris by moving on from Benjarvus Green Ellis.

Johnson has some left in the tank. Truthfully, as a Cowboy fan I would like it…if we had money to pay the man. Besides, Murray can’t stay healthy and we need someone competent at RB when, not if, he goes down. Or since Murray is in the last year of his deal, sign CJ (somehow) and trade Murray for defense help. That’s our primary need anyway.

This is a horribly flawed list, Mr W. Where should I even start here. I don’t understand why so many media guys have fallen in love with CJ2YPC. SF? Where would he fit in there? He isn’t better than any RB on that roster. Ravens? Seahawks? Bears? You’ve really stretched here on a lot of teams seemingly just to lengthen your list. Some teams do make sense though. This does have NE written all over it.